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The Tu-95 was developed for use by the Soviet Union's DA (Long-Range Aviation) as an intercontinental strategic bomber. Design of the Tu-95 version began before 1952, powered by four Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines, the bench-testing of which started in 1953.

Making use of identical systems, techniques and even similar airframe structures as the Tu-16, the Tu-95 (service designation Tu-20) is much larger and has roughly double the range of its turbojet predecessor. The 35 degree swept wing, formed integral tanks, with turboprop engines and their eight blade 18 ft 4½ in (5.6 m) contraprops. Sweptback tail surfaces have an adjustable-incidence tailplane. Conventional control surfaces are supplemented by spoilers in the upper surfave of the wings forward of the ailerons. Fowler-type trailing edge flaps are fitted. The tricycle undercarriage, wih twin nose wheels and a four-wheel bodie on each main unit all retract rearward, plus a small two-wheel retractable tail-bumper,

The basic bomber called “Bear A” by NATO had a glazed nose, chin radar and gun-sight blisters on the rear fuselage. First seen in 1961, “Bear B” fea-tured a solid nose with enormous radome, refuelling probe and centreline attachment for a large cruise missile (‘Kangaroo”). C appeared in 1964 with a large new blister on each side of the fuselage (on one side only on B). while D was obviously a major ECM/FSM reconnaissance type with chin radar, very large belly radar, and from 12 to 21 avionic features visible from stem to stern. F is a multi-sensor reconnaissance conversion of A. while F is a recent further conversion with an array of ventral radars and stores bays in place of the ventral guns. Older Tu-95 Bear A and B variants are being converted to carry the supersonic AS-4 Kitchen air-to-surface missile in place of the AS-3 Kangaroo. Modified aircraft are codenamed Bear G by Nato.

First flown in prototype form during 1954, the aircraft was allocated the service designation Tu-20, and began to enter service with the DA bomber force in 1955. Its turboprop powerplant gives remarkably high speed and, at the same time, long range and endurance. Additionally, the large size of the Tu-95 has permitted the carriage of extensive radar equipment and the largest Soviet air-to-surface missiles and bombs.

Built up to 1992, the total production run was fewer than 300.

In 1984 DA (Long-Range Aviation) had an ultra -long-range backbone comprising 113 bombers called 'Bear-A’ and 'Bear-B' by NATO.

The AV-MF had 75 of various types used for ocean patrol, anti-ship attack, and ECM/EW.

The crew in all versions is accommodated in nose and rear-fuselage press-urized cabins, as well as the pressurized but isolated rear turret, fitted to most versions. Most operational variants have an inflight-refuelling probe on the nose, but even on internal fuel it is possible to fly missions lasting 26 hours. Some models, such as the ‘Bear-D' maritime surveillance aircraft, are packed from nose to tail with radars, navaids, special communications, missile-guidance links and other advanced electronics.